Creation

Then, Life was not!

Non-life was not!

No vast expanse of air,

Nor vaster realm of sky that lies beyond.

Was water there, the deep abyss of ocean?

Then, Death was not!

Non-death was not!

No change of day and night.

And, cov'ring all, the gloom was lost in gloom.

All was unseen, One universe unknown.

Then there was One! One alone!

Calm and self-existing:

Beyond and apart was naught.

Then up rose Desire,

Fierce glowing Desire.

The seed of spirit,

The germ of mind,

The source of life,

Begetting mighty forces,

All heaved in restless motion.

Who then knows,

Who can now declare

Whence cometh creation?

He the Primal One whose

Eye controlleth all things,

He alone doth know it,

Or perchance even

He knoweth it not!